First, allow me to bow in respect. I was exposed to the Pure Land Dharma Door about 6-7 years ago. However, I am sad to admit that I am not a truly practicing Buddhist. It makes me feel ashamed and unsettling. Sometimes, I vigorously recite the Buddha’s name but it won’t belong before I stop because it got me nowhere. I sincerely wish to be able to find a bright eye good knowing adviser who can teach me how to cultivate so that I can eliminate false-thinking and reduce my afflictions. I hope that you will guide me in my daily practice so that I can regain the purity of my mind. By the way, I connected with you through Facebook. I live about 30 min from your temple.

Dear master, I read the following sentences from Pure Land narratives but don’t understand what it means. I know Vietnamese but just don’t understand the concept why Zen masters all switched over to Pure Land.

Could you please expound on these?​“Of the 13 patriarchs of the Pure Land School, there are seven who are accomplished Chan Masters.

I have been a Buddhist for quite a few years and I enjoy learning Buddhism a lot! It has given me a new direction in life, and I sincerely wish to be reborn in Western Pure Land of Amitabha. I’ve taken the 5 precepts few years ago but unfortunately I can’t uphold it fully. I have a girlfriend who is also a Buddhist and a vegetarian, but because of today’s society we can’t maintain a pure live. For me, I feel disgraced and ashamed because a true Buddhist would not involve in any misconduct until married. Moreover, I wear a precept-sash when attending a Buddhist retreat. At the moment, I’m very confused and discombobulated. Master, please direct me on what I should do and approach this? Am I creating bad karma by wearing a sash when I should not?